Clip Knives: Good Things To Know Before Buying

When buying a clip knife off of eBay or anywhere,
there are some things to make sure you know before you make your purchase.

Is the clip knife new or used?

If the clip knife is used, does the seller state the exact condition of
the blade? Are there enough photos to show you the blade?

How long is the clip knife when it is opened (overall length)? How
about when it is closed (if it is a folding knife)? How much does it weigh?

Does the blade have a plain edge, a serrated edge, or a combination?
Serrated or partially serrated edges are popular for a couple of reasons: 1)
They cut rope better than a knife with a plain edge and 2) Serrated edges
cut better when dull than a plain edge. However, some knife owners find
serrated edges harder to sharpen. Serrated clip knives are popular among
cowboys and ropers because of their superior ability to cut rope (from
baling twine to lead ropes to lassos).

What is the clip knife blade made of? Below is a brief description of
two common materials (but by no means the only materials) that may be used
when making knife blades:

Stainless steel. Stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion and
discoloration than carbon steel but does not hold an edge as well.

Carbon steel. Carbon steel is more durable than stainless steel and is
able to hold an edge better. Unfortunately, carbon steel corrodes and
discolors easily.

A mixture of stainless steel and carbon steel. This type of knife might
have numbers such as 440A, 440B, or 440C in their descriptions (as the
letters go up so does the carbon content). Note: Knife blades that are
described as 440 should always have a letter behind the 440 number. The 440
by itself is meaningless. A seller that describes a knife blade as simply
"440" is either uninformed or dishonest.

If you read the description and the material the knife blade is made of
is something you don't recognize, try looking the words up in an
internet search engine or email the seller with your questions before
you bid or buy.

If the knife is a folding knife, is it a slip-joint or a lockback style?
A slip-joint knife does not lock open, but a lockback knife does (lockback
knives need to have a release of some sort activated before they will
close).

If the knife is a folding knife, can it be easily opened with one hand? This
is usually done with a thumb-stud (for your thumb to push on to open the
blade) or an opening hole (a hole for your thumb to fit into when pushing
the blade open). Not everyone will want a folding knife that can be opened
with one hand but they are a favorite among cowboys and horse people.

Every eBay item for sale has a "Seller info"
area. Be sure to check
this area to view the feedback rating that previous buyers have left for
that particular seller. There is also an area where a potential buyer can
read comments left by previous buyers.

If you have any questions be sure to ask the seller before
you bid on a clip knife. Look for the "Ask a question" link in the "Seller info" to ask your questions.